New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday pledged action to fix the country, not just words, but warned the voters who handed him a massive electoral majority and those who voted against him, that improvements would take time.
Standing outside his new office and residence at No. 10 Downing Street, Starmer acknowledged the scale of the challenges that faced him after his party’s landslide victory in a parliamentary election ended 14 years of often tumultuous Conservative government.
He was greeted by huge cheers and in turn took time before making his speech to shake hands with and hug aides and well-wishers who lined Downing Street.
Photo: Bloomberg
Standing behind a lectern, he said he understood that many Britons were disillusioned with politics after years of scandal and chaos under the Conservatives, who were roundly rejected in Thursday’s election, suffering a historic loss.
“This lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that,” he said.
“Whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: My government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good. We will show that,” he said.
The center-left Labour won a massive majority in the 650-seat parliament, prompting Rishi Sunak’s resignation yesterday morning. Starmer then went to meet King Charles and was formally named prime minister.
“My government will fight every day until you believe again. From now on, you have a government unburdened by doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve your interest,” he said, underlining something he had repeated during the campaign — that he would put country first, party second.
The election result has upended British politics. Labour won about 410 seats, an increase of 210, while the Conservatives lost about 250 lawmakers, including a record number of senior ministers and former prime minister Liz Truss.
Sunak’s Conservatives suffered the worst performance in the party’s long history as voters punished them for a cost of living crisis, failing public services and a series of scandals.
“To the country I would like to say first and foremost I am sorry,” Sunak said in a final speech outside Downing Street, adding that he would stay as Conservative leader until the party was ready to appoint his replacement.
Well-wishes poured in, congratulating Starmer on Labour’s victory, including from French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
In Taipei, President William Lai (賴清德) wrote on X: “Warmest congratulations to @Keir_Starmer, the UK’s next prime minister! Grateful for the UK’s longtime support. The #Taiwan-#UK partnership ranges across trade, tech, as well as culture, & we see a bright future ahead as we work together for innovation & global prosperity.”
Additional reporting by staff writer
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